Because I've got nothing right now. I just got back from working out and I'm waiting for that much ballyhooed energy boost (!) to kick in. Which means it won't, probably.
The Privilege Meme
Premise: bold each of the statements that applies.
Original source: The list is based on an exercise developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. The exercise developers ask that if you participate in this blog game, you acknowledge their copyright.
Father went to college
Father finished college
Mother went to college---Mother didn't even finish high school. But that doesn't mean she's not a smart cookie.
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
Were read children's books by a parent
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18---Not because my parents weren't willing to shell out for them, oh, who am I kidding? They wouldn't because I was the eighth kid and they didn't want to bother with paying for something I'd probably quit anyway.
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs---HA! I wish!
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
Went to a private high school Does it make me privileged if I was the one who paid for it?
Went to summer camp
Had a private tutor before you turned 18---No, but I didn't really need one, either. You know, if you're not counting fourth and fifth grade math, when Miss Benda ruled my after school hours. God Rest Her Soul, but she was not a nice woman.
Family vacations involved staying at hotels For, like, a night on the way to someplace or on the way back.
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them---No, but I did pretty much have free reign of my mother's LeBaron when I was the last kid left at home.
There was original art in your house when you were a child
Had a phone in your room before you turned 18---I wish.
You and your family lived in a single family house
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home---they would have had certain things not gone horribly awry.
You had your own room as a child From age twelve on. Before that, well, there wasn't enough room to do so.
Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course---I don't even think they had SAT/ACT prep courses when I took the ACT.
Had your own TV in your room in High School---Nope, but had one down the hall in the spare bedroom that I hogged aplenty. It was easier to watch MTV there and not get busted for it.
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16
Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up---King Tut at age five was just the beginning.
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family---I just knew that they were A LOT and it was in my best interest to keep the bills down by wearing sweaters.
I suppose, by this, it doesn't look as if I was privileged when I was growing up. But I was. I had a home, a family that loved me, and a good education, even if I had to pay for it. And that's all you really need when it comes right down to it.
{ht: Phoenix}
Posted by Kathy at January 14, 2008 01:00 PM | TrackBack